Improvement in cradle-fingers for scythes



HAMILTON.

CRADLE-FINGERS FOR SCYTHES.

Patented Jan.4,1876.

WITNEIEEE S- INVENTEHX NTETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, *WASHlNJ'TQN, D C.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OEFIoE.

WILLIAM HAMILTON, OF FALLSBURG, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO J. L. LA MOREE, OF GRAHAMSVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLE-FINGERS FOR SCVTHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171.666, dated January 4, 1876; application filed I October 25, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HAMILTON, of Fallsburg, in the county of Sullivan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cradle-Fingers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in cradle-fingers; and it consists in making the fingers from thin sheet steel, and of a V-shape, whereby lightness, strength, cheapness, and durability are all combined.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention.

a. represents a common cradle, to which my fingers are, applied; These'fingers c are made from thin sheets of steel, and are rolled in a triangular shape, as shown, so that each side will be perfectly straight, while the rear will be open. These fingers are braced together by a crossbar, d, and to each tooth is fastened a brace, e, which may either be made to straddle over the top of the tooth, or be hooked in it, as may be preferred. In order to give the teeth greater strength a brace, g, which consists of a flat plate, having its edges turned up, so as to catch over the rear edges of the fingers, is applied to each tooth at a suitable distance from its head. These braces may be of any length desired, and give the fingers fully twice as much strength at this point as any other.

I am aware that tubular metal fingers and teeth that are oval in cross-section are not new, and these I disclaim. In every instance where the sides are made rounding or oval, as soon as any heavy transverse strain is brought upon them the sides cramp and double up, and then break. Furthermore, a brace, g, cannot be applied to them without being so large and heavy as to be clumsy; but where the sides are made perfectly straight, as here shown, they can neither give nor cramp, and can be rolled at once into shape and form. When made either roundor oval the fingers have to go through sei'eral operations, and be finished up by special machinery.

These triangular-shaped fingers are equally well adapted for hay-rakes, reapers, and other such implements where fingers are needed.

What I claim is- 1. A metal cradle-finger, V-shaped in crosssection, substantially as shown.

2. The brace g, in combination with a finger, open on its rear side, substantially as specified. a

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of October, 1875.

w. HAMILTON. 

